The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) intends to improve its monitoring of online activities by requiring candidates and parties to register their social media accounts with the poll body for the upcoming 2025 elections.
In an interview with DZRH, COMELEC Chair George Erwin Garcia presented their proposed framework for the said initiative.
"Maaari pong sobrang dami talaga. Pero hihingi po kami ng tulong sa ating mga – meron po kaming nacreate na – Task Force KKK," Garcia said.
"Ang ibig sabihin ng KKK, Katarungan, Katapatan, at Katotohanan sa halalan," he added.
This mandate covers the social media accounts of candidates, political parties, and even personnel who will campaign for their respective candidates.
Although the COMELEC has not set a limit on the number of social media accounts, it assured that it will closely monitor them along with the KKK and the guidelines developed in collaboration with various professionals.
Meanwhile, Garcia warned candidates and parties that while negative campaigning may be permissible under the law, those who choose to employ it as part of their social media strategy will face consequences.
"Dapat din alam ng mga kandidato, ‘yung mga magkakampanya para sa mga kandidato, na may limitasyon naman ‘yung pag-campaign against a candidate," said Garcia.
"Halimbawa, kung ang pagtira mo naman sa kandidato ay nakakasira sa kanyang dangal, pagkatao, ay mayroon po tayong tinatawag na cyberlibel. Ppwede po silang kasuhan ng cyber libel," he added.
The Comelec is set to release a resolution today to formally implement the mandate.
